Group Canvasses Against Teenage Marriage

By Felix Kuyinu

A non-governmental organisation in Lagos, Do-nation, has advocated against teenage marriage in the state, calling for the domestication of Child Rights Act in the society.

Do-nation urged the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, to also look into the issue of forceful marriage imposed on the underage, an act which has reportedly characterised the Makoko area of the state, as revealed by the organization.

Lead Coordinator of the group, Shanu Tiwatope, in a statement on Wednesday, bemoaned the trend in the society, thus, disclosing that there is an urgent need to protect the girl child from all forms of gender based violence in the country at large.

Tiwatope said, “During our pioneering outreach to Makoko, a slum in Lagos State, my team and I observed with disdain the high rate of young mothers roaming the areas with their children.

“Most of these children and their mothers, who are mostly young persons in their teenage age, appeared malnourished and haggard.

“These are young girls who should either be in school or learning a skill, were already mothers and cohabitating with the men who impregnated them like they were married. It dawned on me that they were living as wives because they had no choice.

“Our research further shows that 85 per cent of them are also being abused physically and emotionally by their partners.”

Tiwatope added, “With this reality, I am appealing to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, to, as a matter of urgency, address this situation for the safety of Lagosians.”